The Analects of Confucius

A plausible tongue and a fascinating expression are seldom associated with true virtue.

Let loyalty and truth be paramount with you. If you have faults, shrink not from correcting them.

Learning without thought is labor lost. Thought without learning is intellectual death.

In mourning, it is better to be sincere than to be punctilious.

The faults of men are characteristic of themselves. By observing a man's faults you may infer what his virtues are.

The commander-in-chief of an army can be carried captive, but the convictions of even the meanest man cannot be taken from him.

A youth should be filial at good, respectful abroad. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, but cultivate the friendship of the good. Then, whatsoever of energy may be left to him, he should devote to the improvement of his mind.

(A disciple having asked for a definition of charity, the master said: ) LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

(Having been further asked for a definition of knowledge, the master said: ) KNOW ONE ANOTHER!

(Someone asked Confucius, "Master, what think you concerning the principle that good should be returned for evil?" The Master replied: ) What them will you return for good? No, RETURN GOOD FOR GOOD; FOR EVIL, JUSTICE.

(A Disciple having asked for a rule of life in a word, the Master said: Is not Reciprocity of that word? WHAT YOU WOULD NOT OTHERS DO UNTO YOU, DO NOT DO UNTO THEM.